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England's captain Ben Stokes is said to be "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" to bowl, per team coach Jeetan Patel, despite he did not bowl on the third day of a critical Ashes Test.

Stokes utilized a quintet of alternative bowlers as Australia progressed to 271-4 in their follow-on, building a substantial advantage of 356 runs at the venue.

The dynamic player had previously battled for more than five hours at the wicket over two days to compile 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Grueling Innings

Throughout his extended 198-ball stay, the veteran cricketer was struck on the head by a fast bowler and suffered bouts of cramp. He also needed a period off the field on the previous day after hitting his head on the ground while trying to field the ball.

"He might be a bit tired and just require some time to himself right now," commented Patel.

"Based on my knowledge, he's pretty fit to bowl. I think he's just really exhausted and he's expended a great deal out of himself to get through this point in the match."

Injury History Scrutiny

Considering his chequered injury past – Stokes has not been fully available in any of England's last four series – any indication the Durham man might be nursing an issue draws significant attention.

Eager to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' decision not to bowl on Friday was curious given it was England's last chance to remain alive in the Ashes series.

At trailing 2-0 and requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their aspirations of winning back the Ashes intact, England had conceded a first-innings lead of 85 runs.

"My understanding is he goes at 100%," said Patel. "If he thinks he can't do it at 100%, I don't think he's going to do it. That's likely where he's at."

The visiting side could have stayed within the match by bowling out Australia for around 240 in their second innings and had faint chances at certain scorelines, only for the hosts to pull away through Travis Head's not out 142.

Although England bowled 66 overs, Stokes chose not to bowl.

"He didn't bowl but that's perhaps a separate conversation with him," said ex-New Zealand player Patel.

"I don't actually know. We all know he doesn't do anything at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a liability, so he didn't bowl."

Past Instances and Current Strain

The last time Stokes curtailed his own bowling was on the final day of the tied fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in July.

He afterwards was absent for the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder problem.

Stokes has a reputation of driving himself past breaking point, and it was put to Patel that the captain felt he might have endangered himself if he exerted himself any further in Adelaide.

On the Brink of Defeat

England are on the verge of yet another defeat in Australia, once again likely to be beaten inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the tourists' loss is completed on day four, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been determined in 10 days – the first and second Tests were over in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia needed only eight days of play to win in England, has the victor of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.

A Daunting Task Ahead

If a primary objective is to extend this match into a final day, England will also have to achieve the greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series ongoing.

"I remain convinced there's an opportunity for us," stated Patel. "It will be difficult, we're going to need something extraordinary. I think it's about time we saw something special from us."

"Three games in, we've landed some blows but taken a lot. It's about time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to throw some haymakers."